Bob and Eileen Roche’s fine traditional bar in the centre of Duncannon village serves the local community (and discerning visitors) well. There’s an old bar at the front, pleasingly free of improvements, and it gradually develops more towards the back, which keeps the younger crowd and the oldies in their preferred spaces.
The bar food menu offers a selection of starters, salads open sandwiches and popular hot dishes, plus some daily specials. There is something for everyone - and if the weather is fine, you can enjoy it out in the beer garden.
Bar Food served 12.30-9 daily. Pub closed 25 Dec, Good Fri, Jan.
Sqigl Restaurant
Sqigl (pronounced Squiggle) is located in a converted barn beside the pub and is run by Bob and Eileen’s daughter Cindy Roche, supported by head chef Denise Bradley, who is cooking interesting dishes with confidence - her fish dishes, especially, are accurately cooked, flavoursome and nicely presented, and local seafood is the star here: a lovely summer dish, for example, might be seared monkfish wrapped in Seranno ham, with marjoram, summer greens and parmesan butter.
Sqigl aims to make the most of local produce and does it well with a sensibly limited menu (with full credit to suppliers), featuring not only the white fish landed at the harbour round the corner, but also Wexford beef and lamb – and a short vegetarian menu is also offered.
Decor is light, bright and modern and the cooking style is modern too, except that portions are aimed at hearty Wexford appetites: flavoursome Duncannon seafood chowder with crème fraiche, for example, makes a substantial starter. An early dinner menu offers really good value, and the à la carte dinner menu is also very fairly priced.
Well-made classic desserts will round off a good meal nicely and, together with good cooking and caring service from a friendly and efficient front of house team under Cindy’s supervision, Sqigl offers a very attractive package.
The wine list is not overlong but offers quality and value to match the food, and includes a fair choice of half bottles and wines by the glass.
Seats 36 (outside seating, 12); reservations advised. D Tue-Sat, 7-9.30; 2/3 course early D €24/28, Tue-Wed 7-8pm; house wines from €17.50. Bar food served daily, 12.30-6pm (to 7pm Sun). Restaurant closed Sun (except bank hol Suns), Mon, off season (bar open all year), 24-27 Dec & 3-4 weeks in Jan. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
